May/June 2004

Cover Story: Who’s Better Off?A Special Report on the State of the UnionWe offer a different view of the state of the union, and a twist on Ronald Reagan’s memorable line from 1980.

FEATURES

In Search of Common GroundBy Bill McKibbenWhy do we stand by as jobs vanish, schools deteriorate, and health care becomes a luxury? In an age of individualism, maybe we’ve simply decided nothing much matters—except ourselves.

Class DismissedBy David GoodmanNo more teachers, no more books. In Oregon and elsewhere, a combination of budget cuts, federal underfunding, and a Dick Armey-led tax revolt are devastating the schools.

Whose Hospital Is It?By Arthur AllenIn the brutal economics of today’s health care business, there
may no longer be room for institutions like Philadelphia’s MCP Hospital—or for the communities
they serve.

Contracts with AmericaBy Michael SchererFrom Iraq to homeland security, the Bush administration is turning over crucial government jobs to private contractors— including the task of policing
the contracts.